Charlotte Bilingual Preschool received Apparo’s Mission Possible Economic Opportunity Grant and Carol Hardison was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame Saturday, May 12th at the 12th Annual ConnectivIT Ball. The event raised more than $970,000 for support local nonprofits.

The Mission Possible Economic Opportunity Grant is presented to a Charlotte nonprofit with the strongest proposal for using technology to improve economic mobility and is made possible through a US$60,000 cash and pro-bono contribution from Accenture, a leading global professional services company.

This year’s winner is Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, a five-star licensed preschool that prepares low-income Spanish-speaking students to enter kindergarten ready to learn. One quarter of CMS kindergarten students identify as Hispanic, a large majority of them Spanish speakers. But too often Latinx families lack the resources to prepare their children for school either through preschool or at-home support. Their children start school 12 to 18 months behind their peers in language and pre-reading skills and never catch up. Research indicates dual-language education has positive outcomes for children, and Charlotte Bilingual Preschool’s waiting and inquiry list stretches into the 300s. But to expand to reach more children, the school requires a technology-based overhaul of their internal systems, which aren’t built to handle the volume required to keep pace with demand. With Accenture’s help the school will be able to identify and implement a commercially available student management software system and install equipment that will efficiently manage all data related to students and families, enabling them to help more children.

“Accenture is passionate about using technology for good. We are proud to collaborate with Apparo for the 11th year to use the power of technology to help increase economic opportunity for those who need it most in Charlotte,” said Stephanie Sadowski, Accenture’s Charlotte office managing director.

In addition, Apparo also inducted Carol Hardison, CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry, into the organization’s Hall of Fame. Hardison served on Apparo’s board of directors for 6 years and mentored three of Apparo’s Executive Directors. She has helped the organization navigate its evolution as a thriving nonprofit and remains a stalwart advocate for Apparo’s mission.

“Apparo is grateful to have such passionate and dedicated corporate partners who support our ConnectivIT Ball and our mission year and after year and believe technology can change the world,” said Kim Lanphear, CEO of Apparo. “Charlotte Bilingual Preschool is a critical catalyst for improving the economic opportunities of a significant sector of our community. We look forward to helping them improve their technology so they can help more kids read on grade level and climb the economic ladder.”

Nearly 550 guests, including XX CIOs from Charlotte’s corporate IT community, raised more than $970,000 to empower local nonprofits through business and technology solutions at Apparo’s 12th annual ConnectivIT Ball, presented by Microsoft. The Mission Possible Grant winner and the Hall of Fame Award were both presented at the gala.

About Apparo:
Apparo, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization, connects nonprofits and corporations in the Charlotte, N.C area, delivering technology solutions that multiply nonprofit effectiveness. Considered the go-to provider of technology strategy, implementation, consulting and support services for nonprofits, to date Apparo has served more than 350 local nonprofits, providing them with $7.2 millionworth of technology solutions. To learn more, visit apparo.org.